Bryophyte special issue

Glossary

This glossary defines some of the terms used throughout this issue. Definitions are sim-
plified and based on Malcolm and Malcolm (2000) and Scott and Stone
(1976), to which
readers are referred for more detailed definitions.

Acuminate tapering to a long narrow Dentate having unicellular or multicellu-

point.
Alar cells specialized cells at the comers
of moss leaf bases. These are different
from other leaf cells in size, shape,
colour, thickness or wall ornamentation.
Anticlinal perpendicular to the surface.
Antheridium (plural antheridia) male
reproductive organ containing sperm
(antherozooids).
Apiculus (plural apiculi)an abrupt, short
point at a or apex.
tip
Archegonium (plural archegonia) flask-
shaped female reproductive organ con-
sisting of an elongated neck and swollen
basal region (the venter) supported on a
stalk. The venter contains an egg.
Bracts modified leaves surrounding the
reproductive organs
Brood bodies any structures that function
as vegetative propagules
Caducous deciduous
falling off readily,
Calyptra a membranous or hairy cap
formed from the wall of the archegonium
after fertilization of the egg by a sperm.
It protects the embryonic sporophyte and
aids in control of its development.
Capsule the spore-bearing component of
the sporophyte, i.e. the sporangium, con-
sisting of a sterile base, a fertile spore
case and usually, in mosses, a sterile lid,
the operculum. The capsule is simpler in
liverworts than mosses.
Cilium (plural cilia) a delicate hair or
tooth-like structure at a margin or on a
surface, or alternating with the endos-
tomal teeth.
Conical cone shaped
Costa (plural costae) the thickened
midrib or nerve of a leaf
Cryptogam plants that do not produce
flowers or seeds and have their repro-
ductive parts in what once were consid-
ered hidden structures. Cryptogams
include the mosses, liverworts, horn-
worts, fungi and algae, as well as ferns
and fern-allies.
outward facing.
lar teeth that are
Dorsal said of the upper surface of a
prostrate stem, the outer surface of a
peristome tooth, the lower surface of a
leaf, and the upper surface of a thallose
liverwort or horn wort
Endostome found in many mosses, the
inner peristome, normally arising from
a basal membrane and consisting of seg-
ments alternating with cilia
Epiphragm (plural epiphragmata) a cir-
cular membrane attached to the tips of
the peristome teeth, and partially closing
the capsule mouth after the operculum
has fallen off
Exostome the outer peristome of mosses
consisting of one or more rows of teeth
that usually are split in two towards the
tip.
Fascicles a bundle or cluster of struc-
tures, e.g. leaves, branches, propagules.
Gametophyte the haploid multicellular
gamete producing generation.
Gemma (plural gemmae) a type of vege-
tative propagule composed of only a few
cells.
Hairpoint mosses
a hair-like leaf tip in
formed by costa projecting well
a
beyond the end of the leaf blade, or by a
protracted tapering of the blade tip.
Hyaline colourless and transparent or
nearly so.
Hygroscopic readily absorbing moisture,
said of moss peristome teeth that bend in
and out in response to humidity.
Marsupium (plural marsupial) a swollen
and elongated pouch-like structure
enclosing the sporophyte.
Obtuse blunt with the sides making an
angle of more than 90°.
Operculum (plural opercula) in mosses,
the lid that covers the capsule mouth; in
liverworts, the apical portion of the spo-
rangium which opens during dehiscence.
Ovate egg-shaped.
Papilla (plural papillae) a local thickening
of the cell wall or a mucilage-secreting
cell in some liverworts.

282 The Victorian Naturalist

 Bryophyte special issue

Perichaetium (plural perichaetia) a clus- Sporophyte the diploid multicellular

ter of bracts surrounding the archegoni- spore producing generation.
um and later the base of the seta. Soil crust crust-like covering on the soil
Periclinal parallel orientation to the that maintains landscape stability.
surface. Usually comprised of bryophytes,
Perigonium (plural perigonia) a cluster lichens, algae and fungi.
of bracts surrounding the antheridium. Spiral arranged in the pattern of a snail
Peristome the ring or rings of teeth inside shell or corkscrew
the mouth of the capsule. Thallus a plant body formed as a flat
Pluriverous able to occur on a wide vari- plateor sheet of tissue.
ety of subtrates. Trabeculae cross bars or projections on
Polysetous a state in mosses where more the back of a tooth of the exostome or
than one sporophyte at the apex of a sin- the slender support strands that prevent
gle branch each with its own calyptra. air-chambers from collapsing in a num-
Protonema (plural protonemata) ber of thalloid liverworts.
branched algal-like filaments or plate- Tracheophyte vascular plant.
like growths arising from the spores and Venter swollen basal structure of the
from which erect shoots form. archegonium, contains the egg.
Recurved curved backward or down- Warty having small protuberances
ward, as in leaves.
Rhomboid of cells, quadrilateral in sur-
face view or nearly so, with the lateral References
angles obtuse. Malcolm B and Malcolm N (2000) Mosses and other
bryophytes, an illustrated glossary. (Micro-optics
Seta the stalk or structure of the sporo- Press: Nelson, New Zealand)
phyte carrying the capsule. Scot GAM and Stone IG (1976) The Mosses of
Sigmoid relating to cell outlines tht have Southern Australia, (Academic Press: New York)
a slight s-twist; curved in opposite direc-
tions at the two ends of the cells.

One hundred and fourteen years ago

DESCRIPTION, COLLECTION, AND PRESERVATION OF MOSSES

BY R.A. BASTOW
\..The great natural order of mosses is ever at our side. On almost every wall lop these tiny
plants rear their capsules, holding them aloft to inhale the passing bree/.e or to reap the benefit of
the maturing sun-ray; as we wander through the fields they are under our feet, forming a carpet
far more luxurious than that of any Oriental loom; they are over our heads as we thread our way
through the bush; they throw a gentle mantle over their brethren of larger grow th, and w ho have
succumbed to the stormy blast, that none may mock the dead; they enlighten the storm-beaten
cliff of sombre grey; they glisten on the sides and roof of the cavern; they twirl in the purling
stream; and form a glad luxuriance of humble beauty in niche, on bank, on rock, and every-
where.’

‘COLLECTION OF MOSSES. - In the autumn and winter months the mosses in low-lying
localities will generally be found in their greatest perfection, whilst in the spring and summer
months those growing in more or mountainous districts are at their best, and it is probable
less
that Victoria is as highly favoured asany country in the w^orld for its vast profusion of mosses.
Extensive plains, alpine and sub-alpine heights, damp forests, and fern-tree gullies are character-
istic of the colony; there is, therefore, every inducement to make a closer acquaintance with such
delightful forms. A necessary equipment for such excursions consists of a good pocket lens, a
large knife, capacious pockets, a piece of carpet or oilcloth, and some papers cut in squares to
wrap each specimen in.’

From The Victorian Naturalist IX (1892-3), pp. 123-124

Vol. 123 (4) 2006 283